Fusing and switching means and circuit means controlled thereby

ABSTRACT

A housing having a pair of spaced first and second contact members for respectively being interconnected in a desired electric circuit whereby the electrical circuit will not be completed unless the contact members are electrically interconnected together. A manually movable fuse member is carried by the housing and has one operating position relative to the housing where the fuse member makes electrical contact between the contact members and through the fuse part thereof so that the circuit will not only be completed by the fuse member, but also the circuit will be fused by the fused member. The fuse member when moved to another operating position thereof relative to the housing will break electrical contact between the contact members to open the circuit whereby the fuse member also acts as a manually operable switch for the electrical circuit.

FUSING AND SWITCHING MEANS AND CIRCUIT MEANS CONTROLLED THEREBY [75]Inventor: Robert B. Humphreys, Kettering,

Ohio

[73] Assignee: Micro Devices Corp., Dayton, Ohio [22] Filed: Oct. 27,I971 [21] Appl. No.: 192,904

[52] US. Cl 337/10, 337/143, 337/245, 337/254, 337/264, 337/268 [51]Int. Cl. HOlh 85/00 [58] Field of Search .1 337/5, 10,143, 245, 402,337/406, 198, 199, 197, 232,254, 268, 269, 26 4 [56] References CitedUNITED STATES PATENTS 3,123,692 3/1964 Weber 337/149 3,406,365 10/1968Lameyre 337/245 X 3,379,842 4/1968 Downs et al... 337/143 X 1,177,3103/l9l6 Fisher l l t 337/143 2,072,729 3/1937 Corbett 1. 337/199 X1,019,362 3/1912- Rhodes 337/271 X Great Britain 337/10 [451 Mar. 26,1974 Primary Examiner-Bernard A. Gilheany Assistant ExaminerF. E. BellAttorney, Agent, or Firm-Candor, Candor & Tassone [57] ABSTRACT Ahousing having a pair of spaced first and second contact members forrespectively being interconnected in a desired electric circuit wherebythe electrical circuit will not be completed unless the contact membersare electrically interconnected together. A manually movable fuse memberis carried by the housing and has one operating position relative to thehousing where the fuse member makes electrical contact between thecontact members and through the fuse part thereof so that the circuitwill not only be completed by the fuse member, but also the circuit willbe fused by the fused member. The fuse member when moved to anotheroperating position thereof relative to the housing will break electricalcontact between the contact members to open the circuit whereby the fusemember also acts as a manually operable switch for the electricalcircuit.

21 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PAIENIEDmzs 1914 800 259 SHEU 1 BF 3INVENTOR. ROBERT B HUMPHREYS HIS ATTORNEYS AIENIEMAR26 m4 3800.259

FIG.5

INVENTO 7 ROBERT B. HUMPH s l BY 62 H68 QW 4MJJZ4W HIS ATTORNEYSPATENIEIIIIRS B74 SHiEI 3 0F 3 HIS ATTORNEYS 'FUSING AND SWITCHING MEANSAND CIRCUIT MEANS CONTROLLED THEREBY This application is related toapplicants copending patent application, Ser. No. 131,655, filed Apr. 6,1971, ELECTRICAL OUTLET MEANS AND FUSE THEREFOR, and is assigned to thesame assignee to whom this application is assigned.

In particular, this application relates to an improved fusing andswitching means for an electrical circuit or the like as well as to animproved fuse and/or switchfor such an electrical circuit or the like.

The aforementioned copending patent application provides an improvedfusing arrangement for a convenience outlet on a cooking apparatus orthe like by Iocating a fuse member within a self-contained receptaclefor the cooking apparatus with such self-contained receptacle providingone or more convenience electrical outlet means for the cookingapparatus. The fuse member for such self-contained receptacle is readilyaccessible from adjacent the prong receiving openings of the outletmeans for easy fuse insertion and removal. However, the fuse member isinterlocked in place by the plug which is plugged into the outlet meansso that in order to change such fuse, the plug must be first removedfrom the outlet means so that a safety feature is provided for thefusing of the electrical outlet means of the copending patentapplication.

One of the features of this invention is to utilize such a fuse memberand self-contained receptacle in the aforementioned unique manner sothat the fuse member not only provides the fusing function set forth insuch copending patent application, but also the fuse member of thisinvention will provide an electrical switching function with suchswitching function providing the fusing arrangement for the circuitbeing switched on and off by the fuse element of this invention.

However, it is to be understood that the fuse member of this inventioncan be utilized in electrical circuit means other than the one having anelectrical outlet means while still performing its switching and fusingfunction as will be apparent hereinafter.

For-example, one embodiment of this invention provides a housing meanshaving a pair of spaced first and second contact members forrespectively being electrically interconnected in a desired electricalcircuit whereby the electrical circuit will not be completed unless thecontact members are electrically interconnected together. A manuallymovable fuse member of this invention is carried by the housing meansand has one operating position relative to the housing means where thefuse member has the fuse portion thereof making electrical contactbetween the contact members and through the fuse portion thereof so thatnot only will the circuit be completed by the fuse member, but also thecircuit will be fused by the fuse member when the same is in the oneoperating position thereof. The fuse member, when moved to anotheroperating position thereof relative to the housing means, will cause itsfuse part to move out of electrical contact with one of the contactmembers to thereby break electrical contact between the contact membersand open the circuit whereby the fuse member acts as a manually operableswitch member for the circuit.

Such an electrical circuit can include another contact member which willremain in contact with the fuse part of the fuse member regardless ofits operating position so that the fuse member will continuously providefusing between the first-named contact member and the last-named contactmember during all operating posi tions of the fuse element. Thislast-mentioned electrical circuit can be utilized as one of the linesleading to one of the prong receiving openings of a convenience outletmeans for a cooking apparatus or the like so that such outlet means willbe fused by the fuse member of this invention.

Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide an improvedfusing and switching arrangement for an electrical circuit means or thelike.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved electricalcircuit means utilizing the fusing and switching arrangement of thisinvention.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved plug-in fusehaving one or more of the novel features set forth above or hereinaftershown or described.

Other objects, uses and advantages of this invention are apparent from areading of this description which proceeds with reference to theaccompanying drawings forming a part thereof and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of the self-containedreceptacle and convenience outlet means of this invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line 33 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating the electrical circuit meansbeing controlled by the receptacle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a rear view of the receptacle illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the fuse and switch member for thereceptacle means of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the parts of the fuse memberof FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is an end view of the fuse member of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the various parts of thereceptacle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 9 and illustrates a fusemember for the receptacle of FIG. 1 with the fuse member of FIG. 13 notproviding the electrical switching function of the fuse member of FIG.9.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 9 and illustrates a plugmember to be utilized in place of one of the fuse members of thereceptacle of FIG. 1.

While the various features of this invention are hereinafter illustratedand described as being particularly adapted for providing the fusing andswitching function in combination with a convenience electrical outletof a cooking apparatus, it is to be understood that the various featuresof this invention can be utilized singly or in any combination thereofto provide electrical fusing and/or switching for other devices asdesired.

Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to only the embodimentillustrated in the drawings, because the drawings are merely utilized toillustrate one of the wide variety of uses of this invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 14, the improved selfcontained receptacle of thisinvention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 20 and isutilized in FIG. 4 for controlling a circuit means generally indicatedby the reference numeral 21 in a manner hereinafter set forth so thatthe receptacle means 20 not only provides. a fusing function for anelectrical outlet means 22, but also the receptacle 20 provides anelectrical switching and fusing function for load devices 23 and 24 inFIG. 4 which can comprise upper and lower oven lights for a cookingapparatus while the outlet means 22 of the receptacle 20 provides aconvenience outlet means for the housewife or the like to plug invarious electrical appliances, such as an electrical coffee maker andthe like.

The receptacle 20 includes a substantially rectangular housing part 25having various chambers formed therein and closed by a front plate 26that has a pair of plug prong receiving openings 27 and 28 formedtherein as well as a conventional ground plug prong receiving opening 29formed therein. In addition, the front plate 26 has an opening means 30passing therethrough for receiving a pair of fuse and switch members 31and 32 of this invention therein constructed in a manner and utilizedfor purposes hereinafter described.

Five terminals 33, 34, 35, 36 and 37 extend outwardly from the bodyportion 26 of the receptacle 20 to be interconnected into the electricalcircuit means 21 illustrated in FIG. 4.

-The terminal 35 for the ground plug prong receiving opening 29 of thereceptacle 20 is illustrated in FIG. 4 as being interconnected to a line38 leading to ground and as illustrated in FIG. 7 has a contact portion39 disposed within a cavity 40 of the receptacle body 25 that isalignable with the opening 29 in the front plate 26 so as to contact'theground plug prong when received through the opening 29 in substantiallya conventional manner.

The terminal 33 of the receptacle 20 is illustrated in FIG. 4 as beinginterconnected to a power source lead L, and the same has a contactportion 41 disposed within a cavity 42, FIG. 6, of the housing body 25.The cavity 42 is alignable with the plug prong receiving opening 27 inthe front plate 26 so as to electrically contact such plug prong whenreceived through the opening 27 in substantially a conventional manner.

The terminal 34 is adapted to be interconnected to the power source leadL and has two contact members 43 and 44 respectively disposed inchambers 45 and 46 formed in the housing body 25 and alignable with theopening means 30 of the front plate 26 for a purpose hereinafterdescribed, the contact portions 43 and 44 being substantiallyrectangular members bent at 90 relative to the main portion of theterminal 34 and extending vertically upwardly as illustrated in FIG. 3for a purpose hereinafter described.

' The terminal 36 is illustrated in FIG. as having a one side 50 of theoven light 23 while the other side 51 of the oven light 23 is adapted tobe interconnected by a lead 52 to a lead 53 that is also interconnectedto the power source lead L For example, the lead 53 could beinterconnected to the terminal 33 of the receptacle 20 of this inventionor to the power source lead L, at another location as desired.

The terminal 37 has a contact member 54 disposed in the chamber 46 ofthe housing 25 that is separated from the contact member 44 of theterminal 34 by an internal wall 55 of the housing 25 for a purposehereinafter described. The terminal 37 is interconnected by a lead 56 toone side 57 of the other oven light 24 while the other side 58 of theoven light 24 is interconnected to the lead 53.

A contact member 59 is disposed in the chamber 45 of the housing member25 on the same side of the dividing wall 48 thereof as the contactmember 47 and is integral with a contact portion 60 that is disposed ina chamber 61, FIG. 6, of the housing 25 that is alignable with the plugprong receiving opening 28 in the front wall 26 so as to be contacted bythe plug prong inserted through the opening 28 and forming the otherside of the electrical outlet means 22. If desired, the'contact portion60 can have a terminal extension 62 illustrated in phantom lines inFIGS. 2 and 6 for leading to another outlet means so that the otheroutlet means will be fused in the same manner as the outlet means 22 ifdesired as the terminal 62 could, in effect, provide the electricalcontact member for one opening of such outlet means and the line L wouldthen provide the contact portion for the other plug prong receivingopening of the other outlet means.

The fuse and switching members 31 and 32 of this invention aresubstantially identical in construction except for a feature to be laterpointed out whereby the switch and fuse member 31 will now be describedin detail with the understanding that such structure applies to theswitch member 32 in both its structure and its functional operation.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, the fuse and switch member 31 in generalcomprises an electrical insulating handle 63 and a fusing and switchingpart 64.

The insulating or handle part 63 of the fuse member 31 has an H-shapedopening 65 interrupting an end wall 66 thereof and defining a closed endwall 67, FIG. 3, inside the handle part 63.

A pair of integral pivot pins 68 and 69 extend outwardly from oppositesides of the body portion 63 of the fuse member 31 and are respectivelyadapted to be received in complementary recesses 70 and 71 formed in thehousing member 25 of the receptacle 20 so as to permit the fuse member31 to pivot on the pivot pins 68 and 69, the opening means 30 in thefront plate 36 being shaped to receive the pivot pins 68 and 69,therethrough.

The other switching member 32 has an elongated pivot pin 72 on theelectrical outlet side thereof so as to be received in a complementaryrecess 73 formed in the housing member 25 and extend into the spacingbetween the plug prong receiving openings 27 and 28 so that when anelectrical plug is plugged into the outlet means 22, the switch member32 cannot be removed from the receptacle 20 until such plug is unpluggedfrom the outlet opening 22 in the manner fully set forth in theaforementioned copending patent application whereby a safety interlockis provided between the fuse member 32 and the outlet means 22.

In order to hold the pivot pins 68, 69 and 72 of the switch and fusemembers 31 and 32 in the respective recesses 70, 71 and 73 of thehousing member 25 when the switch members 31 and 32 are insertedtherein, a spring member 74 can be provided between the housing member25 and the front plate 26 so that downwardly extending fingers 75,76 and77 thereof will overlap against the pivot pins 68, 69 and 72 of the fusemembers 31 and 32 to hold the same respectively in their assembledrelation illustrated in FIG. 2. If desired, the ends of the fingers 75,76 and 77 of the Spring member 74 can permit the switch members 31 and32 to be readily removed in opposition to the force thereof and permitother switch members 31 and 32 to be snap fitted into their respectiverecesses by camming past the spring fingers 75, 76 and 77 whereby it canbe seen that the spring member 74 retains the switch members 31 and 32in their assembled or plugged-in relation with the housing member 25while still permitting the same to pivot on their pivot pins relative tothe receptacle for a switching'function that will be hereinafterdescribed. In addition, the spring'member 74 permits the switch members31 and 32 to be snapped into position and unsnapped therefrom for fusereplacement purposes as will be apparent hereinafter.

The fuse part 64 of the fuse member 31 comprises a pair of conductiveblades 78 and 79 shaped so that the same can be serially cut from asingle strip of conductive material without waste between parts 78 and79 so that the blades 78 and 79 each has a triangular cutout 80 at oneend thereof and a triangular projection 80' at the other end thereof.The blades 78 and 79 are ar ranged in spaced parallel and side-by-siderelation to be secured together in such side-by-side relation by afusible element or pin 81 attached at the apexes 82 of the triangularcutouts 80 at the rear ends of the blades 78 and 79. The fusible member81 while being formed in any suitable manner can be formed in the mannerfully disclosed in applicants other copending patent application, Ser.No. 39,710, filed May 22, 1970, wherein the fuse pin 81 is formed offine silver and has its opposed ends respectively soldered or brazed tothe conductive members 78 and 79.

The H-shaped opening 65 in the insulating part 63 of the switch member31 can be filled with a suitable epoxy resin 83 and before the samesets, the fuse pin end of the blades 78 and 79 can be inserted into theH- shaped opening 65 to cause the triangular cutout portions 80 tobottom out against the end wall 67 thereof in the manner illustrated inFIG. 3 so that the fuse pin 81 is spaced from the bottom wall 67. Whenthe epoxy 83 subsequently hardens, the fuse part 64 is firmly fastenedto the handle part 63 with the fuse pin 81 being fully encased withinthe handle part 63 so that subsequent blowing thereof will have itselectric are or spark completely confined within the handle part 63whereby the blowing of the fuse pin 81 will not cause damage to otherparts of the receptacle 20. The thus assembled switch member 31 has theblades 78 and 79 thereof electrically interconnected together by thefuse pin 81 for a purpose now to be described.

When the switch member 31 is inserted into the opening 30 in the frontwall 26 of the receptacle 20, the blades 78 and 79 thereof straddle theinterior wall 55 of the chamber 46 with the blade 79 making slidingcontact with the contact member 44 ofthc terminal 34 and making slidingcontact with the contact member 54 of the terminal 37 if the switchmember 31 is dis posed in the on pivoted position illustrated in FIG. 3.However, if the fuse member is pivoted to the off" position illustratedin dotted lines in FIG. 3, the blade 79 will still be in electricalcontact with the contact member 44 but the blade 78 will be pivoted outof electrical contact with the contact member 54 so that the fuse member31 is adapted to make and break electrical contact between the contactmembers 54 and 44. In particular, when the switch member 31 is in the onpivoted position illustrated in FIG. 3 to electrically bridge thecontact members 54 and 44, the electrical light 24 is placed across thepower source leads L and L to be in an operative condition with the fusepin 81 of the fuse member 31 fusing such electrical circuit for thelight 24. However, when the switch member 31 is moved or pivoted to theof pivoted position illustrated in FIG. 3, the electrical circuit isbroken for the light 24 so that the light 24 is in an of conditionthereof.

In order to hold the switch member 31 in either of the two desiredoperating positions thereof, a detent member 84 is disposed in thechamber 46 and is urged outwardly toward the dividing wall by acompression spring 85 disposed in a bore 86 aligned with the chamber 46and closed by an end plug 87. The leading edge 88 of the detent member84 is semicircular in cross section as illustrated in FIG. 3 and thelength of the blades 78 and 79 of the switch member 31 are such that thetriangular portions engage against the leading edge 88 of the detentmember 84 and move the same slightly backwardly in opposition to theforce of the compression spring so that the apex parts 89 of the blades78 and 79 will toggle on opposite sides of the center line of the detentmember 84. For example, when the apexes 89 of the blades 78 and 79 arebelow the center line of the detent member 84 as illustrated in FIG. 3,the detent member 84 under the force of the compression spring 85maintains the blades 78 and 79 in the down condition illustrated in FIG.3 so that the switch member 31 will remain in the on" positionillustrated in FIG. 3 until the operator pushes on the handle part 63 torock the same to the dotted line position illustrated in FIG. 3 wherebythe apexes 89 of the blades 79 and 78 toggle past the center line of thewall 88 of the detent member 84 to be then urged upwardly and maintainedin such upward position by the detent member 84.

The detent member 84 in the chamber 45 acts in the same manner on theblades 78 and 79 of the switch member 32.

However, the blade 78 of the switch member 32 in both the on and offpositions of the switch member 32 is always in-sliding contact with thecontact member 43 leading from the power source terminal 34. Likewise,the contact member 59 for the plug prong receiving opening 28 of theoutlet means 22 is always in sliding contact with the blade 79 of theswitch member 32 regardless of the operating position thereof. Thecontact member 47 for the terminal 36 is only in sliding contact withthe blade 79 of the switch member 32 when the switch member 32 is in itson position and will be out of electrical contact therewith when theswitch member 32 is moved to its off" position.

Therefore, it can be seen that regardless of the pivoted position of theswitch member 32, the fuse pin 81 of the switch member 32 is electricalbridging between the contact members 43 and 59 to provide fusing for theelectrical outlet means 22 of the receptacle 20. However, the switchmember 32 must be moved or pivoted to an on" position in order to havethe fuse pin 81 effectively electrically bridge the contact members 43and 47 so that the load or light 23 can be placed across the powersource leads L and L When the switch member 32 is in such on position,the fuse member 32 also is acting as a switch member for such circuitmeans in the same manner that the switch member 31 acts as aswitchmember for the load device 24 previously described.

Therefore, it can be seen that the fuse members 31 and 32 of thisinvention not only provide a fusing function, but also the same providea switching function with the switch member 32 always providing a fusingfunction for the outlet means 22 and a fusing and switching function forthe load device 23 whereas the fuse device 31 provides a fusing andswitch means only for the load device 24.

However, the switch and fuse members 31 and 32 can readily be replacedfrom the receptacle should the same be blown in the same manner as thefuse member provided for the outlet means of the aforementionedcopending patent application. But, by providing double legs 78 and 79 onthe fuse members 31 and 32 rather than a single blade as in theaforementioned copending patent application, it can be seen that thereceptacle 20 is rendered substantially safe so that a child or the likewhen inserting a screwdriver on either side of the wall 55 or 48 cannoteffect switching or shorting across the contact members 44, 54 or 43, 59even though the switch members 31 and 32 should be removed from theopenings 30 and the child be experimenting with a screwdriver or thelike.

Should it be desired to merely have a fusing function and not theadditional use of a switching function with the receptacle 20, the fusemember 93 illustrated in FIG. 13 could be utilized in place of theswitch member 31 and/or switch member 32. The fuse member 93 is formedin substantially the same manner as the switch member 31 previouslydescribed except that the same has a flat end wall 94 which prevents thesame from being pivoted after the same has been received in the,

opening 30 of the front wall 26 of the receptacle 20 and had its pivotpins received in the proper recesses in the housingbody 25.

Also, should it be desired not to have a fuse or switch for the circuitdefined by the contact members 44 and 54, a blocking or dummy member 95of FIG. 14 can be utilized as the same does not have any fuse partextending from the insulating body part 63 thereof and the same isprovided with a flat end wall 96 to prevent pivotal movement of theblocking member 95 once it is snapped in place.

Thus, it can be seen that when a blocking member 95 is disposed in theopening 30 of the receptacle 20 in place of the fuse member 31 noelectrical connection will be provided between the contact members 44and 54 thereof. Similarly, should a fuse member 93 be disposed in theopening 30 of the receptacle 20 in place of the switch member32, suchfuse member 93 will only provide a fusing function between the contactmembers 43 and 59 for the electrical outlet 22 and no electricalconnection will be provided between the contact members 43 and 47.

Thus, it can be seen that this invention not only provides an improvedfusing and switching arrangement for an electrical circuit means, butalso this invention provides an improved electrical circuit means aswell as an improved fuse member for such an arrangement or the like.

While the form of the invention now preferred has been disclosed asrequiredby the patent statutes, other forms may be utilized, all comingwithin the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a housing means having a pair of spaced first andsecond contact members for respectively being electricallyinterconnected in a desired electrical circuit whereby said electricalcircuit will not be completed unless said contact'members areelectrically interconnected together, a manually movable fuse membercarried by said housing means and having one operating position relativeto said housing means where said fuse member makes electrical contactbetween said contact members and through the fuse thereof so that saidcircuit will not only be completed by said fuse member but also saidcircuit will be fused by said fuse member, said fuse member when movedto another operating position thereof relative to said housing meansbreaking electrical contact between said contact members to open saidcircuit whereby said fuse member also acts as a manually operable switchfor said circuit, said first contact member being in electricalcontactwith said fuse member when said fuse member is in either said one orsaid other operating position thereof, and a third contact member beingcarried by said housing means and cooperating with said first contactmember to define another electrical circuit, said third contact memberbeing in electrical contact with said fuse member when said fuse memberis in either said one or said other operating position thereof wherebysaid fuse member not only completes said other circuit at least at saidfirst and third contact members but also said fuse member fuses saidother circuit at said first contact member and said third contact memberwhen said fuse member is in either of said operating positions thereof.

2. A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said housing means hasa pair of plug prong receiving openings therein to provide an electricaloutlet means for said housing means, said third contact member beingelectrically interconnected to one of said prong receiving openingswhereby said fuse member fuses said outlet means between said thirdcontact member and said first contact member when said fuse member is ineither operating position thereof. a

3. A combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein said second contactmember is out of electrical contact with said fuse member when said fusemember is in said other operating position thereof.

4. A combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein said fuse memberincludes a pair of spaced conductive blades electrically interconnectedtogether solely by a fuse element of said fuse member, one of saidblades being in electrical contact with said first contact member inboth operating positions of said fuse member, the other of said bladesbeing in electrical contact with said third contact member in bothoperating positions of said fuse member, said other blade only being inelectrical contact with said second contact member when said fuse memberis in said one operating position thereof.

5. A combination as set forth in claim 4 wherein said fuse member ispivotally mounted to said housing means to pivotally move said blades inunison relative to said housing means as said fuse member is pivotallymoved between said operating positions thereof, said blades being insliding contact with said contact members as said fuse member is beingpivotally-moved.

6. A combination as set forth in claim 5 wherein said fuse member isreplaceably pivotally mounted in said housing means.

7. In combination, a housing means having a pair of spaced first andsecond contact members for respectively being electricallyinterconnected in a desired electrical circuit whereby said electricalcircuit will not be completed unless said contact members areelectrically interconnected together, and a manually movable fuse membercarried by and attached to said housing means and being movable relativeto said housing means while remaining attached thereto, said fuse memberhaving one operating position relative to said housing means where saidfuse member makes electrical contact between said contact members andthrough the fuse thereof so that said circuit will not only be completedby said fuse member but also said circuit will be fused by said fusemember, said fuse member when moved to another operating position therofrelative to said housing means breaking electrical contact between saidcontact members to open said circuit whereby said fuse member also actsas a manually oper able switch for said circuit, said fuse memberincluding a pair of spaced conductive blades electrically interconnectedtogether solely by a fuse element of said fuse member, one of saidblades being in electrical contact with said first contact member inboth operating positions of said fuse member, the other of said bladesonly being in electrical contact with said second contact member whensaid fuse member is in said one operating position thereof, said fusemember being pivotally movable relative to said housing means about anaxis of rotation of said fuse member, said blades of said fuse memberbeing disposed in side-by-side parallel relation with each other andrespectively radiating from said axis of rotation of said fuse member.

8. A combination as set forth in claim 7 wherein said fuse member ispivotally mounted to said housing means to pivotally move said blades inunison relative to said housing means as said fuse member is pivotallymoved between said operating positions thereof, said blades being insliding contact with said contact members as said fuse member is beingpivotally moved.

9. A combination as set forth in claim 8 wherein said fuse memberincludes a handle portion formed of electrical insulating material, saidblades being carried by said handle portion and projecting outwardlytherefrom, said fuse element being disposed in said handle portion to beencased thereby.

10. In an electrical circuit means having an electrical power source fordirecting electrical current through said circuit, the improvementcomprising a housing means having a pair of spaced first and secondcontact members respectively being electrically interconnected in saidelectrical circuit so that said electrical circuit will not be completedunless said contact members are electrically interconnected together, amanually movable fuse member carried by said housing means and havingone ope rating position relative to said housing means where said fusemember makes electrical contact between said contact members and throughthe fuse thereof so that said circuit will not only be completed by saidfuse member but also said circuit will be fused by said fuse member,said fuse member when moved to another operating position thereofrelative to said housing means breaking electrical contact between saidcontact members to open said circuit whereby said fuse member also actsas a manually operable switch for said circuit, said first contactmember being in electrical contact with said fuse member when said fusemember is in either said one or said other operating position thereof,and a third contact member being carried by said housing means andcooperating with said first contact member to define another electricalcircuit, said third contact member being in electrical contact with saidfuse member when said fuse member is in either said one or said otheroperating position thereof whereby said fuse member not only completessaid other circuit at least at said first and third contact members butalso said fuse member fuses said other circuit at said first contactmemberand said third contact member when said fuse member is in eitherof said operating positions thereof.

11. In an electrical circuit means as set forth in claim 10, the furtherimprovement wherein said housing means has a pair of plug prongreceiving openings therein to provide an electrical outlet means forsaid housing means, said third contact member being electricallyinterconnected to one of said prong receiving openings whereby said fusemember fuses said outlet means between said third contact member andsaid first contact member when said fuse member is in either operatingposition thereof.

12. In an electrical circuit means as set forth in claim 11, the furtherimprovement wherein said second contact member is out of electricalcontact with said fuse member when saidfuse member is said otheroperating position thereof.

13. In an electrical circuit means as set forth in claim 12, the furtherimprovement wherein said fuse member includes a pair of spacedconductive blades electrically interconnected together solely by a fuseelement of said fuse member, one of said blades being in electricalcontact with said first contact member in both operating positions ofsaid fuse member, the other of said blades being in electrical contactwith said third contact member in both operating positions of said fusemember, said other blade only being in electrical contact with saidsecond contact member when said fuse member is in said one operatingposition thereof.

14. In an electrical circuit means as set forth in claim 13, the furtherimprovement wherein said fuse member is pivotally mounted to saidhousing means to pivotally move said blades in unison relative to saidhousing means as said fuse member is pivotally moved between saidoperating positions thereof, said blades being in sliding contact withsaid contact members as said fuse member is being pivotally moved.

15. In an electrical circuit means as set forth in claim 14, the furtherimprovement wherein said fuse member is replaceably pivotally mounted insaid housing means.

16. In an electrical circuit means having an electrical power source fordirecting electrical current through said circuit, the improvementcomprising a housing means having a pair of spaced first and secondcontact members respectively being electrically. interconnected in saidelectrical circuit so that said electrical circuit will not be completedunless said contact members are electrically interconnected together,and a manually movable fuse member carried by said housing means andhaving one operating position relative to said housing means when saidfuse member makes electrical contact between said contact members andthrough the fuse thereof so that said circuit will not only be completedby said fuse member but also said circuit will be fused by said fusemember, said fuse member when moved to another operating positionthereof relative to said housing means breaking electrical contactbetween said contact members to open said circuit whereby said fusemember also acts as a manuallyoperable switch for said circuit, saidfuse member including a pair of spaced conductive blades electricallyinterconnected together solely by a fuse element of said fuse member,one of said blades being in electrical contact with said first contactmember in both operating positions of said fuse member, the other ofsaid blades only being in electrical contact with said second contactmember when said fuse member is in said one operating position thereof,said fuse member being pivotally movable relative to said housing meansabout an axis of rotation of said fuse member, said blades of said fusemember being disposed in side-by-side parallel relation with each otherand respectively radiating from said axis of rotation of said fusemember.

17. In an electrical circuit means as set forth in claim 16, the furtherimprovement wherein said fuse member is pivotally mounted to saidhousing means to pivotally move said blades in unison relative to saidhousing means as said fuse member is pivotally moved between saidoperating positions thereof, said blade being in sliding contact withsaid contact members-as said fuse member is being pivotally moved.

18. in an electrical circuit means as set forth in claim 17, the furtherimprovement wherein said fuse member includes a handle portion formed ofelectrical insulating material, said blades being carried by said handleportion and projecting outwardly therefrom, said fuse element beingdisposed in said handle portion to be encased thereby.

19. A plug-in fuse construction comprising an electrically insulatinghandle part to be manually grasped for inserting said fuse constructionin an opening means for receiving the same, and a fuse part carried bysaid handle part and extending therefrom, said fuse part having spacedapart blades for respectively engaging spaced apart contact means, and afusible means electrically interconnecting said spaced blades, saidspaced blades extending from saidhandle part for insertion on both sidesof a barrier disposed between said spaced apart contact means to providean electrical circuit therebetween, said handle part having a pair ofopposed pivot pins extending therefrom, said handle part being adaptedto be pivotally movable about an axis of rotation as defined by saidopposed pivot pins, said blades being disposed in side-by-side parallelrelation with each other and respectively radiating from said axis ofrotation of said handle part.

20. A plug-in fuse construction as set forth in claim 19 wherein saidpivot pins of said handle part provide key means extending therefrom torequire positive orientation of said fuse construction relative to saidopening means.

21. A plug-in fuse construction as set forth in claim 19 wherein one ofsaid pivot pins is longer than the other pivot pin.

1. In combination, a housing means having a pair of spaced first andsecond contact members for respectively being electricallyinterconnected in a desired electrical circuit whereby said electricalcircuit will not be completed unless said contact members areelectrically interconnected together, a manually movable fuse membercarried by said housing means and having one operating position relativeto said housing means where said fuse member makes electrical contactbetween said contact members and through the fuse thereof so that saidcircuit will not only be completed by said fuse member but also saidcircuit will be fused by said fuse member, said fuse member when movedto another operating position thereof relative to said housing meansbreaking electrical contact between said contact members to open saidcircuit whereby said fuse member also acts as a manually operable switchfor said circuit, said first contact member being in electrical contactwith said fuse member when said fuse member is in either said one orsaid other operating position thereof, and a third contact member beingcarried by said housing means and cooperating with said first contactmember to define another electrical circuit, said third contact memberbeing in electrical contact with said fuse member when said fuse memberis in either said one or said other operating position thereof wherebysaid fuse member not only completes said other circuit at least at saidfirst and third contact members but also said fuse member fuses saidother circuit at said first contact member and said third contact memberwhen said fuse member is in either of said operating positions thereof.2. A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said housing means hasa pair of plug prong receiving openings therein to provide an electricaloutlet means for said housing means, said third contact member beingelectrically interconnected to one of said prong receiving openingswhereby said fuse member fuses said outlet means between said thirdcontact member and said first contact member when said fuse member is ineither operating position thereof.
 3. A combiNation as set forth inclaim 2 wherein said second contact member is out of electrical contactwith said fuse member when said fuse member is in said other operatingposition thereof.
 4. A combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein saidfuse member includes a pair of spaced conductive blades electricallyinterconnected together solely by a fuse element of said fuse member,one of said blades being in electrical contact with said first contactmember in both operating positions of said fuse member, the other ofsaid blades being in electrical contact with said third contact memberin both operating positions of said fuse member, said other blade onlybeing in electrical contact with said second contact member when saidfuse member is in said one operating position thereof.
 5. A combinationas set forth in claim 4 wherein said fuse member is pivotally mounted tosaid housing means to pivotally move said blades in unison relative tosaid housing means as said fuse member is pivotally moved between saidoperating positions thereof, said blades being in sliding contact withsaid contact members as said fuse member is being pivotally moved.
 6. Acombination as set forth in claim 5 wherein said fuse member isreplaceably pivotally mounted in said housing means.
 7. In combination,a housing means having a pair of spaced first and second contact membersfor respectively being electrically interconnected in a desiredelectrical circuit whereby said electrical circuit will not be completedunless said contact members are electrically interconnected together,and a manually movable fuse member carried by and attached to saidhousing means and being movable relative to said housing means whileremaining attached thereto, said fuse member having one operatingposition relative to said housing means where said fuse member makeselectrical contact between said contact members and through the fusethereof so that said circuit will not only be completed by said fusemember but also said circuit will be fused by said fuse member, saidfuse member when moved to another operating position therof relative tosaid housing means breaking electrical contact between said contactmembers to open said circuit whereby said fuse member also acts as amanually operable switch for said circuit, said fuse member including apair of spaced conductive blades electrically interconnected togethersolely by a fuse element of said fuse member, one of said blades beingin electrical contact with said first contact member in both operatingpositions of said fuse member, the other of said blades only being inelectrical contact with said second contact member when said fuse memberis in said one operating position thereof, said fuse member beingpivotally movable relative to said housing means about an axis ofrotation of said fuse member, said blades of said fuse member beingdisposed in side-by-side parallel relation with each other andrespectively radiating from said axis of rotation of said fuse member.8. A combination as set forth in claim 7 wherein said fuse member ispivotally mounted to said housing means to pivotally move said blades inunison relative to said housing means as said fuse member is pivotallymoved between said operating positions thereof, said blades being insliding contact with said contact members as said fuse member is beingpivotally moved.
 9. A combination as set forth in claim 8 wherein saidfuse member includes a handle portion formed of electrical insulatingmaterial, said blades being carried by said handle portion andprojecting outwardly therefrom, said fuse element being disposed in saidhandle portion to be encased thereby.
 10. In an electrical circuit meanshaving an electrical power source for directing electrical currentthrough said circuit, the improvement comprising a housing means havinga pair of spaced first and second contact members respectively beingelectrically interconnected in said electrical circuit so that saidelectrical circuit will noT be completed unless said contact members areelectrically interconnected together, a manually movable fuse membercarried by said housing means and having one operating position relativeto said housing means where said fuse member makes electrical contactbetween said contact members and through the fuse thereof so that saidcircuit will not only be completed by said fuse member but also saidcircuit will be fused by said fuse member, said fuse member when movedto another operating position thereof relative to said housing meansbreaking electrical contact between said contact members to open saidcircuit whereby said fuse member also acts as a manually operable switchfor said circuit, said first contact member being in electrical contactwith said fuse member when said fuse member is in either said one orsaid other operating position thereof, and a third contact member beingcarried by said housing means and cooperating with said first contactmember to define another electrical circuit, said third contact memberbeing in electrical contact with said fuse member when said fuse memberis in either said one or said other operating position thereof wherebysaid fuse member not only completes said other circuit at least at saidfirst and third contact members but also said fuse member fuses saidother circuit at said first contact member and said third contact memberwhen said fuse member is in either of said operating positions thereof.11. In an electrical circuit means as set forth in claim 10, the furtherimprovement wherein said housing means has a pair of plug prongreceiving openings therein to provide an electrical outlet means forsaid housing means, said third contact member being electricallyinterconnected to one of said prong receiving openings whereby said fusemember fuses said outlet means between said third contact member andsaid first contact member when said fuse member is in either operatingposition thereof.
 12. In an electrical circuit means as set forth inclaim 11, the further improvement wherein said second contact member isout of electrical contact with said fuse member when said fuse member issaid other operating position thereof.
 13. In an electrical circuitmeans as set forth in claim 12, the further improvement wherein saidfuse member includes a pair of spaced conductive blades electricallyinterconnected together solely by a fuse element of said fuse member,one of said blades being in electrical contact with said first contactmember in both operating positions of said fuse member, the other ofsaid blades being in electrical contact with said third contact memberin both operating positions of said fuse member, said other blade onlybeing in electrical contact with said second contact member when saidfuse member is in said one operating position thereof.
 14. In anelectrical circuit means as set forth in claim 13, the furtherimprovement wherein said fuse member is pivotally mounted to saidhousing means to pivotally move said blades in unison relative to saidhousing means as said fuse member is pivotally moved between saidoperating positions thereof, said blades being in sliding contact withsaid contact members as said fuse member is being pivotally moved. 15.In an electrical circuit means as set forth in claim 14, the furtherimprovement wherein said fuse member is replaceably pivotally mounted insaid housing means.
 16. In an electrical circuit means having anelectrical power source for directing electrical current through saidcircuit, the improvement comprising a housing means having a pair ofspaced first and second contact members respectively being electricallyinterconnected in said electrical circuit so that said electricalcircuit will not be completed unless said contact members areelectrically interconnected together, and a manually movable fuse membercarried by said housing means and having one operating position relativeto said housing means when said fuse member makes electrical contactbetween said contact members and through the fuse thereof so that saidcircuit will not only be completed by said fuse member but also saidcircuit will be fused by said fuse member, said fuse member when movedto another operating position thereof relative to said housing meansbreaking electrical contact between said contact members to open saidcircuit whereby said fuse member also acts as a manually operable switchfor said circuit, said fuse member including a pair of spaced conductiveblades electrically interconnected together solely by a fuse element ofsaid fuse member, one of said blades being in electrical contact withsaid first contact member in both operating positions of said fusemember, the other of said blades only being in electrical contact withsaid second contact member when said fuse member is in said oneoperating position thereof, said fuse member being pivotally movablerelative to said housing means about an axis of rotation of said fusemember, said blades of said fuse member being disposed in side-by-sideparallel relation with each other and respectively radiating from saidaxis of rotation of said fuse member.
 17. In an electrical circuit meansas set forth in claim 16, the further improvement wherein said fusemember is pivotally mounted to said housing means to pivotally move saidblades in unison relative to said housing means as said fuse member ispivotally moved between said operating positions thereof, said bladebeing in sliding contact with said contact members as said fuse memberis being pivotally moved.
 18. In an electrical circuit means as setforth in claim 17, the further improvement wherein said fuse memberincludes a handle portion formed of electrical insulating material, saidblades being carried by said handle portion and projecting outwardlytherefrom, said fuse element being disposed in said handle portion to beencased thereby.
 19. A plug-in fuse construction comprising anelectrically insulating handle part to be manually grasped for insertingsaid fuse construction in an opening means for receiving the same, and afuse part carried by said handle part and extending therefrom, said fusepart having spaced apart blades for respectively engaging spaced apartcontact means, and a fusible means electrically interconnecting saidspaced blades, said spaced blades extending from said handle part forinsertion on both sides of a barrier disposed between said spaced apartcontact means to provide an electrical circuit therebetween, said handlepart having a pair of opposed pivot pins extending therefrom, saidhandle part being adapted to be pivotally movable about an axis ofrotation as defined by said opposed pivot pins, said blades beingdisposed in side-by-side parallel relation with each other andrespectively radiating from said axis of rotation of said handle part.20. A plug-in fuse construction as set forth in claim 19 wherein saidpivot pins of said handle part provide key means extending therefrom torequire positive orientation of said fuse construction relative to saidopening means.
 21. A plug-in fuse construction as set forth in claim 19wherein one of said pivot pins is longer than the other pivot pin.